Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Jacob & Israel: down low, up high

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

I’ve begun to think of the Hebrew alphabet as a combination of Chinese and English. It could be that this reflects the fact I do not know any Chinese. Nevertheless, what I mean is that just like in Chinese or … Continue reading →

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The Emotional Torah

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

With all the “firsts” that are introduced in Genesis (read much more in Meir Shalev’s beautiful book), crying is definitely one worth looking into. Abraham cried for Sarah, Joseph will cry with his siblings, the two brothers, Esau and Jacob, … Continue reading →

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Isaac & Rebekah

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The couples of the Torah continue to fascinate me. This week, we are visited by Isaac and Rebekah, the only couple of the forefathers who maintains a complete monogamous relationship. No maidservants, no second wives, and even in times of … Continue reading →

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Home & Homeland: where is it?

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Sarah passed away and Abraham takes matters into his own hands, looking for a wife, first for Isaac and later in this Torah portion, also for himself (and some major commentators will tell us he got back together with Hagar). … Continue reading →

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Yes Dear: An Intervention in Abraham and Sarah’s Tent

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Jane: Honey, what is that wooden sled still doing here? Jakie almost broke his head tripping over it when we walked into the garage! You know how much I hate it. I told you to throw it away!! Joe: Honey, … Continue reading →

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Counting Adam, Noah, Abraham…

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The publication of the recent Pew survey has brought us back to the number game: how many are we? How may on us in the U.S.? In CA? How many of us are Israeli? Russian? Under 18? Under 40? Over … Continue reading →

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In a beginning: starting again

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Seven is a favorite number — the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot, the seven branches on the menorah, the seven days of Creation. But how about the first verse of the Torah, which has exactly seven words, and the … Continue reading →

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Sukkot

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Instead of my blue toyota, we now have a sukkah in our front yard, between the wooden fence and the bushes, where normally the car would be. Just like last year, people keep stopping by, asking what this is. Some … Continue reading →

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Yom Kippur: an “Afternoon Delight”

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Watching Afternoon Delight makes for a pretty crazy evening. The life of LA Silver Lake mom, Rachel is turned upside down when she decides to save a young prostitute and bring her home so she can give her a new … Continue reading →

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Three (still somewhat disconnected) Thoughts, Last Shabbat 5773

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Not many people fill the seats at Grand Lake Theater for the Friday matinee of Fruitvale Station, but by the time the film was over, there is not a dry eye in the audience. I thought it was only me, … Continue reading →

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